Peter Henlein: Sensational discovery!

[YFZriderdude15]

I dont really understand why they call it a pocketwatch. That would not fit in my jeans pocket, only like a huge sweatpants pocekt or something. It's still awesome though.

[flwrakis]

Although it is made of steel,either it's a replica or has repaired with new matterials.

This kind of early watches 1510-1560,has no engraving on the movement.

Look at the pins that secure the plates,they're new and some made of brass.

Also the tooth on the fusee are from brass and many others little spots i noticed.

Nevetheless,it's a very good work if it is a replica.

[scjuelich]

@flwrakis Please read the documentation on the website and there you will find a description of all replaced parts (Menu Item "Description"). Experts confirm the authenticity of the clock. But PLEASE read the website first before posting such comments. -> w w w . p e t e r h e n l e i n . c o m

[flwrakis]

@scjuelich It is not important to read the documentation on the website.

You said that "before posting such comments".

What did i say?

I didn't say it's a replica or original.

I just said my observations.

And ofcourse,when you upload a video on youtube you know that everyone will comment.

If you don't want this,lock the comments.

Regards

[scjuelich]

@flwrakis Hi! Sorry for the misunderstanding. It is OK to post comments on this video, and I like to answer as detailed as possible. But I would prefer answering most of the comments in an email. Here we only have limited space. I just thought that you haven't read the entire website. Sorry, if I misunderstood something.

[soulmercer]

I realize it is well out of my price range, and always will be.

I would like to know a little more about 16th century watches, however, Are there any known examples of a watch with day and/or date from before 1600? Also, do you know when the cushion watch was first introduced?

[RollaArtis]

This is a fake and I can prove it. 1505? More likely 2005. The idea that Peter Henlein made the first watch is a complete myth.

[scjuelich]

@RollaArtis You can prove it? Hahahahahaha... I doubt! It is not the first watch it is the first pocket watch and many experts already agreed and believe that this is the first or at least oldest pocket watch ever.

But anyway, I would be interested how you will prove that this is wrong. Tell me!!

[RollaArtis]

@scjuelich It's the wrong shape. All the earliest proven pocket clocks pocket watches are in a drum form. This is more like an egg I wonder why?

[scjuelich]

@RollaArtis Have you read the information on the website about this pocket watch? There you can find all information why it is a pomander (Bisamapfel). If you have further questions please drop me a note.

[RollaArtis]

@scjuelich How coincidental that this watch exactly follows the description of Henlein's watches by Mela (1512) and Neudoerffer (1546). Also the pierced decoration of the case (which seems to have no trace of gilding) is identical to that of the well known (and genuine) early drum shaped watch illustrated in Britten 1911 Ed. p.44. . But what proves it is a fake is the quality of the engraving which is very very poor. And if it was original it would by now be in a certain museum in Geneva.

[scjuelich]

@RollaArtis As I already wrote in an earlier reply to your messages. Have you read the information on the website about this watch? Everything you are mentioning is discussed there and will answer all your questions. Several famous institutes in Germany did some researches and could proof that this watch is really that old.

So, please check the website and I think it will answer all your questions. Anyway, this website is not the right place I guess to discuss everything in detail.

[RollaArtis]

@scjuelich Yes I read the web site but I can' t see any test results for the metal composition. Even if this can prove it's from 1505, it's still poorly made and the engraving still very bad compared to similar articles from this period. Most fakers assume that early technology was made in a crude way but in fact the opposite is true.

[scjuelich]

@RollaArtis The bad engraving has been discussed quite often. Even the Bavarian State Museum examined the engravings and has no reference point that this could be a forgery or replica. This watch was made by Peter Henlein in 1505. At this time he was in the asylum in the Franciscan mendicant. Henlein was not an engraver but a fitter which explains the poor engraving. He will probably have received the housing in the monastery, built the watch and later made the engraving himself.

[scjuelich]

@scjuelich Furthermore the watch is very, very small. Only 4.5 cm in diameter, so that the engraving in relation to the watch on the pictures looks very rough. There have also be some similar signatures found in the "Dosenuhr of Peter Henlein from 1510" in the German National Museum in Nuremberg. And this was found out later as the website about this watch and several analysis was already done. How do you explain that? (see website)

[scjuelich]

@scjuelich For several years experts have been dealing with this pomander watch. And they have made many investigations. And they say that it would have never been possible to fake the watch in this condition (material, wearing down, secret signatures etc.). We don't think that we should discuss further details here on youtube, because this topic is really too complex. If you have further questions drop me a message via email or check again the website.

[scjuelich]

@scjuelich I would also recommend to watch the following video: "OLDEST POCKET WATCH 1505 - PETER HENLEIN TV-Clip". You can find it here on youtube. Do you think German public TV will broadcast this if it would be a fake or replica? I don't think so.

Sorry for this long reply, but this is a really complex topic!

Best regards!

[RollaArtis]

@scjuelich Are you saying that the Bavarian State Museum think this watch is original? If so, I don't believe it. Museums always think everything is a fake until it can be proved to be original. I think this watch may well have been made in the 1930's for propaganda reasons. For example why is it signed Peter Henlein not a watchmaker you never heard of? Think about it.

[soulmercer]

I wish I owned this beauty!!!

[scjuelich]

@soulmercer I am afraid it is too expensive for you. Nobody knows how much it would cost. You could make an offer ;-)

[marcodimonaco]

who owns this one ? is there any place to see it ? museum ?

[scjuelich]

@marcodimonaco This watch is privately owned and cannot be seen anywhere. Probably one day the owner will show it to public.

[gavincurtis]

Correct me if wrong, but I take it that the cone shaped helix has a cord that wraps around its grooves? The cord unwinds from the helix onto the drum around the main spring. Purpose of the helix is to regulate spring tension as spring uncoils for greater accuracy? Smart!

[douro20]

@gavincurtis

Yes, it's called a fusee. That was the way pocket watches were made for many years before better methods of making mainsprings were developed.

[scar504]

this watch was around very near the time of castles and knights truly amazing

[assa123assa123]

how does this baby work without a hairspring?

[BMWHP2]

Think about it, This watch was functioning before many country's existed, and is still functioning long after many country's dissapeared :+)

[fmlondon]

I'd kill for a watch like this!

[TheAmayasasaki]

I wonder how many times it's ticked in it's time? Truly Fascinating.

[soulmercer]

@TheAmayasasaki Since you are an expert about sixteenth century watches, would you please tell me if any watches, from the sixteenth century, had day and/or date functions? Also, when was the cushion watch first introduced?

[L337g4m3r]

That movement is worth a fortune. Looks like one of the earliest portable watches made.

[Spellcaster94]

I was wondering...do they sell working replicas of those watches?

I'm making a movie and they use an ancient pocket watch, and THAT just takes the cake for old/ mysterious pocket watches.

[dblay3]

Hey, i got an illinois pocket watch. I think it could possibly be one of the earliest watches when they came out. It's white gold, seventeen jewels, and shaped like a stop sign, octagon. It's got some pretty fancy little intricate details. Got it valued 7 years ago at $ 35,000 to $40,000. Any idea who buys these watches?

[scjuelich]

Hey!

No idea at the moment. But do you have any pictures of this watch. I think I could find someone for you. Just let me know.

[GRAFHC]

$35,000 to $40,000 for an Illinois pocket watch? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure thats about one zero too many.

[ElginPocketwatch]

@dblay3 illnois was started in the late 1800's not 1500's

[GundamFanDeluxe00]

@dblay3 I do at auctions

[Roflinurface]

It doesn't look to accurate,though it is fasinating!

[ZeromusIV]

I just bought one from the city market and i really like it, i just wanted to study on pocket watches heheh. This is a pretty amazing discovery though.

[Tingilyawen]

Is it related to verge and foliot clock? I heard some watches were made with the mechanism.

[FunnyGunny2]

I believe so. This watch also shows an early balance wheel movement. Most clocks and watches with this movement never used balance springs. This means as the watch winds down, it will slowly lose time. Unlike modern mechanical watches, which distributes the driving force equally as the watch winds down.

[xxxBlakDragonxxx]

Amazing :]

[FunnyGunny2]

WOW. That watch is over 500 years old! and it STILL WORKS. Take care of it or put it in a display case. The value will definately go up.

[stude1953]

I just had to comment...FANTASTIC FIND! would be more like it! Went to the website..very interesting. I would recommend anyone viewing this video to do the same. And a special thanks to scjuelich for sharing this video with us.

[babysharky1]

Where did you find such watch?i am couryously intressed....thanks